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This week’s Theme: Our Journey
As we begin our Lenten journey we explore our identity. Jesus is heading into the wilderness with the Devil at his side to tempt him repeatedly. Jesus knew who he was and easily resists. When we follow Jesus we too must make ourselves aware of who we are. We are the ones who bring Jesus to those who still do not know him.
This week’s Scripture Lesson: Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said,
“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered,
“It is written:
‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered him,“It is also written:
‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him,
“Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Questions to reflect on while reading:
- Why would the Holy Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted right after his baptism?
- Why does Satan attack Jesus’ physical needs first?
- Why does Satan quote Scripture (Psalm 91) to tempt Jesus? What do we learn about Satan’s tactics from this passage?
- How can the account of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness be applied to modern day struggles with temptation?
- If Jesus and Satan were alone in the wilderness, how could this event have been recorded so specifically?
This week’s bulletin